Streets Paddle Pop and Smiths Snakata attract fines for health claims

Dodgy health claims

Last updated: 11 July 2016

The Australian Competition Consumer Commission (ACCC) has ordered Smiths and Unilever to each pay $10,800 for false health food claims.

The move follows last year's CHOICE investigation which found that manufacturers were misleading parents by using made-up school canteen "certification" logos to imply their food was a good option for school lunchboxes.

The certifications claim that the products are "school canteen approved" and meet the amber criteria for the National Healthy School Canteens Guidelines, leading parents into believing products with these logos are a healthy option for kids.

Smiths' Sakata Paw Pizza Supreme Rice Snacks included a logo featuring the words "Meets School Canteen Guidelines" with an image of a sandwich and apple. Unilever's Paddle Pop Rainbow (10 pack) packaging included a logo on the front, back and one side of the packaging with the words "School Canteen Approved".

"The dodgy logos were deployed on packs to fool consumers into thinking they were making a healthy choice for their kids. This is a timely reminder to parents to be on the lookout for 'health halos' when navigating the supermarket aisles each week."

Unilever and Smiths have told the ACCC they will stop using the logos on their packaging.

For more on how to find well-balanced packaged foods, see our guide to lunchbox snacks.